B.C.’s Construction Foundation seeks $500k for Langford mental health centre for people in trades

The Construction Foundation of B.C. (CFBC) seeks to fundraise $500,000 for a Langford-based mental health and addiction services centre for people in trades.

The CFBC’s South Vancouver Island initiative is called FORGE.

The vision is to create a space where people in the trades can receive counselling, coaching, and treatment.

“The FORGE brings together peer-led support, recovery-focused services, and industry-informed care to ensure that no tradesperson has to face their struggles alone. Whether it’s addiction, trauma, burnout, or isolation, there’s a way forward, and we’re building that path together,” states its website.

The new help centre is taking over the site of a former clubhouse tied to the Hells Angels at 2775 Spencer Road.

READ PREVIOUS: Former Hells Angels-connected clubhouse in Langford converting into mental health and recovery centre

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With fundraising underway for renovations, furniture, and equipment, CFBC says the new facility will  focus on peer support work as well as other mental health and addiction services. 

“Men at work or people at work in general especially in the trades, you put your bravado on and everyone shows up and is kind of wearing a mask,” peer support trainee Chris Cook.

Cook knows firsthand what it’s like to struggle with mental health.

“I think I tapped into life where I knew the direction I was heading was not taking me anywhere good. It’s typically a long path for people going down that road so it’s not like you just wake up one day. You struggle with it for a long time” says Cook.

Now that he’s in a better place, he wants to help others, and is training to become a peer support worker at FORGE.

“Everyone is paying forward what they were given by somebody else,” he says. 

Research from FORGE shows the construction industry has the highest suicide rate in the country with more than 53 suicides per 100,000 construction workers; That’s five times higher than all other construction fatalities combined.

“The secret to this is building a culture of help-seeking, not holding and internalizing your pain and exhaustion, connecting with others. The FORGE is a beautiful opportunity for that,” said Trevor Botkin CFBC manager of industry relations.

The organization’s research also found 83 percent of workers reported struggling with their mental health and substance abuse. Rates in the trades are also nearly double the national average.

“Construction workers notoriously have been self-medicating, ‘blowing off steam’ with alcohol and with other substances,” says Botkin.

READ: Trades, transport or equipment operators account for 22% of unregulated drug deaths in 2024

The hope from organizers is to rebuild and recover the building as well. The notorious Langford building at 2775 Spencer Road is best known for being the Savages Motorcycle clubhouse. Before that, it donned the number 41 above the front door, code for the Devil’s Army Motorcycle Club (DAMC).

READ ALSO: After nearly 10 years in Langford, Hells Angels connected clubhouse for sale

The opening date for the FORGE is still unknown. The current mission is to find financial support so the doors can open soon. Donations are being collected at Enter the FORGE.